Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised the selectors’ keen eye and the conviction in selecting Gurnoor Brar over Auqib Nabi in the senior India squad. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee had faced a lot of criticism after ignoring the Jammu and Kashmir pace bowler, who has been among the top performers in the Ranji Trophy, over the last couple of seasons as well.
However, R Ashwin also noted that the selectors must be given credit for their bold decision-making and predicted a bright future for Gurnoor Brar as well.
“Gurnoor Brar, we have to say that he is really impressive. He is tall, and it seems like he is quite strong too. He bowled every ball over 145 kmph. There is a massive upside. The skill, action, and swing he gets with the new ball, there is a lot of upside with him. He can bowl even faster, he is young,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“When the selectors chose Gurnoor Brar, and not Auqib Nabi, many people talked about it. I think it was a very good spot. This is not a comparison between them, but the selectors and the coaches who saw Gurnoor, they have to be praised, that is a really good eye. If he stays fit, and does all the right things, he can become a really big bowler for India in the future, he again added.
Amid the absence of some senior names, Team India named another debutant, Harsh Dubey as well. After being overlooked for the one-off Test, where they went with Manav Suthar, the young left-arm spinner had an eventful national debut as well.
“I know Harsh Dubey very well, there was no doubt in my mind that he would be a good player. He always fights, never backs down from a contest. He proved to be a little expensive, but the way he made a comeback, that is Harsh Dubey for you. He can also bat very well,” R Ashwin said.
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